OVER 2,000 Malaysians got a taste of the vibrancy and diverse nature of Taiwanese music and literary culture at the Taiwan Literature & Music Night last weekend.
Organised by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, together with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, and Popular Bookstore, the event was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on July 9.
After the success of the past editions in 2014 and 2015, the third edition of the event was equally well-received, with popular entertainers Anthony Neely from Taiwan and Malaysia’s very own Jess Lee showcasing the best Taiwanese literature and music had to offer, from modern pop music to classical poetry, and performing with a live orchestra.
Neely was the first to take the stage, with songs like the poetic Zai Bie Kang Qiao (Goodbye Kang Qiao) and Ru Yen (Like Smoke), as well as challenging himself with Wei Yang Ge and Wang Le Wo Shi Shei, which contain excerpts by renowned Taiwanese literary figures like Li Ao and Lu Qiao (Nelson Ikon Wu).
Neely explained that the literary nature of the melody and lyrics made it easier for him to immerse himself in the emotions of the songs, and that Wei Yang Ge is the work that left the biggest impression on him, with its poetic descriptions of youth, love, and friendship. Neely’s next song was San Chang De Yong Bao (The Last Embrace), one of his biggest hits, and a song that did not seem out of place amongst the previous literary classics he just performed.
Next to take the stage was Malaysian Jess Lee, the first ever Malaysian winner of popular Taiwanese TV singing competition One Million Star, in the show’s seventh season in 2011. Lee began her set with the soaring Yue Qin, which presented a whole different side of Taiwanese culture to the audience. She also sang the Qing Hua Ci (Blue and White Porcelain), which was co-written by popular Taiwanese musician Jay Chou and award-winning lyricist Vincent Fang. She went on to explain that she is especially fond of iconic Chinese culture imagery like porcelain, and peonies.
The audiences were also enthralled by her unique interpretations Luo Dayou’s Ye Bai He Ye You Chun Tian (Wild Lilies Also Have Spring), Chen Ming-Shao’s Rang Wo Men Kan Yun Qu (Let’s Look At Clouds), and classic Teresa Teng song Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu (Always Faithful).
For the finale, Neely and Lee both to duet on Na Xie Nian (Those Years), thus bringing the 3rd Taiwan Literature & Music Night to a close on a high, emotional note.
